On Monday, a significant outage at Amazon Web Services disrupted numerous websites and applications, including the encrypted messaging platform Signal. Following this incident, X Executive Chairman and Chief Technical Officer Elon Musk expressed his waning trust in Signal, stating plainly, “I don’t trust Signal anymore.”
It’s important to understand that the centralized infrastructure used by Signal does not inherently jeopardize the encrypted communications. Signal does not have access to the keys for the encrypted data stored within this infrastructure, which adds an extra layer of security.
PSA: we are aware that Signal is down for some people. This appears to be related to a major AWS outage. Stand by.
— Meredith Whittaker (@mer__edith) October 20, 2025
In a response to Musk’s assertions on X, Signal President Meredith Whittaker highlighted the app’s trustworthiness among the security and hacker communities. “Signal is trusted by the security and hacker community, and hundreds of millions of others, BECAUSE they can examine it, and because on examination, it has shown to be robust, private, and secure—for over a decade,” she wrote.
Musk’s Push for X Chat
Recently, Musk has been advocating for X Chat, promoting it as a secure and encrypted communication option for users. However, security experts have cautioned that any reputable messaging app should ideally be open-source to verify its security claims. How are users expected to trust an app if they can’t inspect the underlying code?
Try 𝕏 Chat, our new, encrypted communication system for texts, file transfers and audio/video calls.
Enable from left menu. https://t.co/HxVP7zQDej
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 20, 2025
X has labeled X Chat as beta software, aiming to eventually replace their traditional messaging system. Reports dating back to 2018 indicated that X (then Twitter) was testing end-to-end encryption, but it wasn’t officially announced until 2023. X has also indicated intentions to improve verification of their chat features’ security.
Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of X, had shown some inclination towards ensuring end-to-end encryption during his tenure. Recently, he developed a geographically-focused messaging app called Bitchat, known for its mesh networking capabilities, which gained attention amid political unrest in Nepal.
Signal’s Shortcomings
While Signal is often hailed for its encryption, it’s not without its criticisms. For instance, its dependence on phone numbers for account creation has raised red flags among security researchers. However, Signal has taken steps to allow users to register with just a username.
Nonetheless, Whittaker faced scrutiny regarding Signal’s transparency. Developers associated with Bitcoin pointed out that the app stores on Android and iOS hinder users’ ability to confirm if the open-source code running on their devices matches the official version provided by Signal.
Additionally it has had reproducibility issues for over a year and the issue keeps getting closed due to lack of interest in fixing https://t.co/487B9bhMUC@elonmusk please make sure X chat prioritizes reproducible builds
— Steve Lee (@moneyball) October 20, 2025
Developer Peter Todd, known for his contributions to Bitcoin, emphasized the importance of reproducible builds, which allow end users to verify that an app has been constructed from the same open-source code available publicly. Steve Lee, who supports open-source development grants for Bitcoin, noted similar reproducibility issues related to Signal on Android.
Clearly, those in the Bitcoin community, who often focus on the benefits of decentralization, express concerns over Signal’s reliance on centralized infrastructure that led to the recent downtime.
When it comes to encrypted messaging, achieving the perfect balance between privacy, security, and user-friendly design often involves trade-offs. Signal remains a benchmark in the industry, but the emergence of more competitors—if they prioritize verifiable privacy—can only enhance the ecosystem.
What are the security risks of using Signal? Despite its strong encryption, reliance on centralized services introduces potential vulnerabilities, particularly during outages.
A question on many minds is whether X Chat can genuinely compete with established platforms like Signal. While it offers innovative features, experts stress the importance of transparency and community scrutiny to establish trust.
Many users wonder: Is all encrypted communication truly secure? While encryption adds a layer of protection, security ultimately depends on the app’s architecture and its reliance on centralized servers.
As you navigate the world of messaging apps, continue to seek out trustworthy sources and stay informed about the latest developments. Discover more insightful articles and discussions at Moyens I/O (https://www.moyens.net).